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What New Border Security Rules Mean For International Travelers

By Congresswoman Virginia Foxx

The summer travel season is quickly approaching and for many North Carolinians that means summer vacation. Some of you summer adventurers are planning to spend your vacation in another country and the last thing you want is unnecessary stress dampening your travel arrangements. Without the right advance preparation, new passport rules have the potential to throw a wrench in the plans of international travelers.

In past years, air travelers to North American countries did not need to show a passport when flying across the border. But under new rules recommended by the 9/11 Commission and passed into law by Congress in 2004, Americans traveling to any country by air must now show a U.S. passport before boarding a flight. Many people with travel plans to Canada, the Caribbean or Mexico in the near future will need to obtain their passport. The new rules implemented by the U.S. State Department on January 23, 2007 apply to citizens of any age traveling by air.

These new measures will help to ensure the security of our borders, but they are also placing a temporary strain on the State Department’s passport processing capabilities. In fact, the State Department has seen a 44 percent increase in applications since this time last year. North Carolinians without a passport who are planning a trip abroad this summer should start the application process as soon as possible.

If you will need a new passport, either because your current passport has expired or you need a first time passport, you should expect the application process to take 10-12 weeks. This year is not the year for passport procrastination. The State Department expects to issue 4 million more passports this year than in 2006. With millions of Americas scrambling to comply with the new air travel rules, you should allow yourself plenty of time for your new passport to wind its way through the application process.

What if you have an emergency, or forget about that vacation to the Canadian Rockies in a few weeks? In emergency situations you can pay an additional $60 fee on top of the normal processing fee to expedite your passport. Even expedited passports take 3-4 weeks to process, and it is strongly recommended that you include overnight shipping with your application.

The bottom line for international travelers who will need a new passport is to apply as early as possible. Make sure you start the application process at least three months before you plan a trip. If you have a trip in less than three months you should seriously consider having your application expedited. Sixty dollars is ultimately a small price to pay for the peace of mind and the reduced risk of a ruined summer vacation.

If you are a first time passport applicant you must appear in person at a passport acceptance facility. Most local post offices are certified acceptance facilities, but you can search for the facility closest to you at http://iafdb.travel.state.gov.

Once you have submitted your application, you can check on its progress online at http://travel.state.gov/. Due to the huge volume of passports currently in the system, it takes up to a week for expedited applications and about 3 weeks for routine applications to get into the online tracking system. Don’t worry if you are not immediately able to track the status of your application.

Whether you are just starting the application process or are expecting your passport any day, the State Department’s passport web site at http://travel.state.gov is an invaluable resource. It’s a great place to get answers to your questions.

However, if at any point in the application process, you run into a problem you cannot solve please contact my district office at 1-866-677-8968. My experienced staff has dealt with many passport issues and would be happy to help you navigate the system. Remember, while we’re here to help, the best way to get your passport on time is to start the process early.

With the passport rush season in full swing, don’t let time slip away. Every day counts, and if you will be traveling abroad in the coming months I encourage you to start the application process now. Save the procrastinating for the beach, or wherever your travels take you this summer.

Editor’s Note: Virginia Foxx is a United States Representative from North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District. You may contact her office toll free at 1-866-677-8968 or e-mail her from her website, www.foxx.house.gov.